(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana's eighth annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament - the largest indoor youth archery tournament in state history - will take place March 22 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

More than 1,600 students representing 76 schools qualified to participate, up from about 1,000 students last year from 57 schools. Participation has increased each year since the original state tournament in 2007.

The tournament will be in the Champions Pavilion at the fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis. Parking at the fairgrounds costs $5, and admission for spectators also costs $5. Admission for children 8 and younger is free.

Doors open at 7 a.m. and flight (shooting) times start at 7:30 a.m. A new flight starts every 70 minutes, with the last flight scheduled for 4:50 p.m. The awards ceremony will start around 7 p.m.

Competitive divisions are 4th-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th grade divisions. A shoot-off of the six top scorers, both male and female, from each division will follow the last flight to determine the overall individual winners. A Spirit Award will also be presented. Results will be posted at IndianaNASP.com. Go to facebook.com/IndianaNASP for tournament photographs and highlights.

"NASP has become increasingly popular throughout the world and has provided an opportunity for our youth to get involved with a lifelong activity that can involve their whole family," said Outdoor Education Lt. Larry Morrison.

The Indiana Field Archery Association will officiate the tournament, along with volunteers and Indiana Conservation Officers from the DNR. The Indiana Hunter Education Association and Renfro Productions are the underwriting sponsors.

Supported as a joint venture between school corporations throughout Indiana and the DNR, NASP provides international target archery training in Indiana's physical educational classes, grades 4-12. NASP supports student education and introduces many life skills through archery.

Tournament competition is open only to schools that have received the archery training provided by the DNR Law Enforcement Division and have the archery program as a part of their curriculum. More than 300 Indiana schools participate in NASP.

The program is supported and often funded through local school corporations, the Indiana Hunter Education Association, individual donations, conservation organizations, and corporate sponsors such as the National Wild Turkey Federation.